Chapter Eighteen: Signing the Contract

  "Come on, bring out the dishes!" After the opening remarks, the atmosphere became lively. Li Xiehe urged the waiter at Deju Lou to serve the food. As the big boss, he was generous and ordered 12 dishes, all of which were expensive ones, such as foie gras and phoenix claws. These dishes were beyond the imagination of ordinary people, but in Li Xiehe's eyes, they were just like plain porridge. Wei Hong was so envious that she cursed him silently, making up her mind to be extravagant too when she had money in the future.

  After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, when Wei Hong was about to leave, Wan Niang advised him that his body had not fully recovered and it's best not to drink too much. However, once he sat at the wine table, all cautions were thrown out the window. As a former project manager at Southwest Science and Technology Development Company, Wei Hong always felt that if he didn't drink a couple of cups of wine during dinner, business wouldn't be successfully discussed, which was probably an occupational disease...

  Li Qiulan left early, leaving Wei Hong, Li Xiehe and Li Yan in the room. They began to get down to business. Li Xiehe gave Li Yan a signal with his eyes, and Li Yan took out a contract from his simple hemp briefcase and placed it in front of Wei Hong: "Young Master Wei, this is the contract. Take a look?"

  Wei Hong's last life accompanied the client to practice overseas, saying that he was a thousand cups without getting drunk and didn't dare to be too proud. This life's alcohol capacity hasn't retreated, his brain can still think rationally, drinking is just drinking, emotions are just emotions, one code is one code, business must still be treated seriously. Wei Hong picked up the contract, carefully read it, nodded from time to time, and shook his head: "The share ratio, you seven I three, this point was originally agreed upon, Wei Mou has nothing to say, but only letting Wei Mou take over the sewing machine manufacturing related matters, and also let Wei Mou put all his business in Hongyuan Commercial House, this is not quite right? To put it bluntly, Wei Mou's work is too easy, you are equivalent to raising Wei Mou as a idle person. To put it even more bluntly, your Hongyuan Commercial House has a big family and business, can't you even do business cooperation without calculating everything?"

  Li Yan's temper was quite urgent, and his face didn't look good: "Wei Gongzi, what do you mean by this? What is meant by suppressing the value of a partner? Our boss had good intentions, letting you only have the right to manage and manufacture sewing machines, not wanting you to be too tired. As for putting all the business in Hongyuan Commercial Firm, it's because our boss thinks highly of you and wants to cultivate you."

  Wei Hong rolled his eyes and stared straight at Li Yan: "Do you believe this?"

  Before Li Yan could continue speaking, Li Xiehe stopped him: "Mr. Li, I've told you before that this contract is absolutely unacceptable, but you refused to listen. Now look what's happened - we've misled Young Master Wei! Tear up this contract and let's draft a new one!"

  "It was I who thought it through inadequately, please punish me, sir." Li Yan said with his head hung low in dejection.

  Wei Hong is not stupid, this contract must be Li Xiehe's intention, first use this contract to probe and test his own bottom line, to gain the greatest benefit, and their gaze, apparently not just sewing machines...

  Li Xiehe and Zhong Weihong exchanged a glance, then Li Xiehe smiled apologetically: "Young Master Wei, how do you think this contract should be written?"

  Wei Hong had already thought it through before, and now he clearly expressed his thoughts. He wouldn't play tricks like them, having come this far: "The share ratio doesn't need to be changed, just adjust the back end. If Old Li is willing to let Wei and Macro Far develop together, then it's still like what Wei said before - show some sincerity! If you simply want to get the sewing machine technology, that's not impossible either. The annual dividend will still be given to Wei, but Wei can still develop his own business."

  Li Xiehe nodded: "Wei Gongzi, the matter has come to this point, and I don't mind telling you the truth. The sewing machine can indeed affect Hangzhou and even the entire Tang Dynasty's textile industry. However, if it means choosing between the sewing machine and you, I would rather give up this opportunity that shakes the world. If I can get your help, the Hongyuan Commercial House will surely be blessed with divine assistance. How about this: everything related to the sewing machine will be managed by you, whether it's manufacturing, maintenance, or subsequent operations - all will be decided by you alone. What do you say?" Li Xiehe was genuinely trying to win over Wei Hong, after all, he had no sons, only three daughters, and although they were all talented, they were still women, and if Li Xiehe passed away, it would be difficult for them to manage the entire Hongyuan Commercial House on their own. Wei Hong was a bit arrogant, but he was kind-hearted and a person worth cultivating; with his help, the three daughters' path would be smoother in the future.

  Wei Hong was such a monstrous person, how could he not know Li Xiehe's thoughts? After being silent for a moment, he nodded: "Then let the contract be written like that."

  Li Yan drafted the contract, and Wei Hong and Li Xie both signed and stamped their seals, making it officially effective. Li Yan made two copies of the contract, one of which he handed over to Wei Hong, and the other was directly sent to the Hangzhou Prefecture Government Office for registration and filing. From then on, the government would supervise, and neither party could unilaterally terminate the contract without a valid reason.

  After making an appointment with Li Xiehe to report to the Hongyuan Business Firm the day after tomorrow, Wei Hong left the Deju Building. It was already deep in the night, and the effects of the wine were beginning to subtly emerge. Wei Hong hurried back, his feet heavy and light by turns. Although he was a big man, he was distressed that he had no skills to protect himself, and his heart was also afraid that some unexpected misfortune might befall him. As soon as he thought of this, his heart became anxious, and he hastened his pace. The result was that one foot trod on empty air, and with a thud, the whole person fell to the ground. Wei Hong, who was normally gentle and refined, had today been exposed in his true form by the wine. Taking advantage of the effects of the wine, he loudly cursed: "Damn it! One of me has fallen down, but ten thousand, a hundred million of me have stood up!"

  Wei Hong was muttering to himself, stretching out his hand to feel around for a handhold, trying to climb up from the ground. Just as he was about to get up, a hand suddenly appeared out of nowhere and grabbed his shoulder, giving him a fright. "Damn, could it be that I've really encountered a robber?" he thought. As soon as this thought occurred to him, Wei Hong's head cleared with a buzz, and the effects of the alcohol instantly wore off by 70 or 80 percent. The now-clear-headed Wei Hong didn't want to just sit there waiting for death, so he clenched his fist, ready to enter combat mode at any moment. Just then, a familiar voice rang out: "Husband, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

  It's Wen Niang! Wei Hong couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, his tightly clenched fists slowly relaxing as he stood up with Wen Niang's support: "Wen Niang, didn't I tell you not to wait for me? Why are you still awake?"

  Wan Niang put Wei Hong's sturdy arm on her shoulder and supported him as he walked back and forth: "Husband doesn't come back, where can Wan Niang sleep? Before leaving, Wan Niang told husband to drink less wine, but husband didn't listen. If something bad happens, what can Wan Niang do?" The warm words were tinged with a sob, like a bonfire in the cold wind, and Wei Hong suddenly sobered up.